The PGA Tour heads a little farther east on the West Coast swing, as TPC Scottsdale will be the host of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. There will be a lot of superstars in the field including Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Rory MciIroy and last year’s winner Webb Simpson in hopes to claim victory. One thing that is notable to mention is the fact that 5,000 fans will be in attendance…the first time since last March that has happened. While looking at past winners…it seems to me that putting is not that important here, but length and accuracy are. Ball Striking is one category I will be looking at, but I have to say…gaining strokes on the field will be my main statistic to analyze. Last week…Wolff really hurt me by withdrawing and as rare as that occurs…I hope it doesn’t happen again!

TPC Scottsdale 2:3:2021.jpg — Photo Credit: Golf.com

TPC Scottsdale is roughly 7,200 yards in length and features many bunkers and false fronts to the hole. Golfers who go for the green efficiently will really benefit from playing here. The weather looks to be pretty stable, around 70 degrees so that should not be a factor. I have been in a little slump here lately, so it is important for me to continue to choose solid, all-around golfers…with minimal holes in their game. Another thing that is worth noting is the field size…it is around 130 and that means 65 or so will make the cut…we need all 6 golfers to make the cut.

TIER 1: Will Zalatoris ($9,000)

I know…it is a little cheap for a top tier…but Zalatoris will be a force to be reckoned with soon enough. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained Off the Tee…he is top-10 in driving distance and he hits the greens at a 70% clip. On the PGA Tour, he has been a top-10 finishing machine and he helped us with a P7 last week. I’ll take Will Zalatoris all day at 33/1 to win the Phoenix Open.

TIER 2: Sam Burns ($7,700)

My tiers are really low this week, but I could not help but go with one of the best Ball Strikers in the field…he’s top-5 in that category and is also a great driver. Burns is top-5 in hitting the greens at 75%. He gains a stroke on the field off the tee…and is top-15 in total strokes gained all around. Sam Burns is actually my favorite to win this week at 66/1 and I think DraftKings has him criminally low at $7,700.

TIER 3: Keegan Bradley ($6,900)

Here is the tricky tier…there were so many great options below the $7k mark…but I went with Keegan Bradley. I understand that he has not been playing elite lately, but his 1.5 strokes gained on the field from Tee-to-Green was too hard to overlook. Another golfer that I like is Padraig Harrington at $6,200. The veteran played great last week in Dubai on the Euro tour and is a very similar golfer to Bradley in gaining strokes off the tee. One of the statistics that lead me to Bradley was his 67% sand save efficiency. Bunkers will be a factor and I need a golfer that can get out of them if need be.

AustYn

References: Bovada, PGA Tour, DraftKings

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